Donald Trump was called upon to assist in resolving one conflict and escalating another during separate meetings with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The gatherings, which took place at the White House, coincided with the visit of the two leaders to Washington DC for the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham.

Senator Graham had previously acted as a mediator between Zelensky, Netanyahu, and the Trump administration, fostering better communication and understanding between the parties. Both meetings held with Trump and the leaders were private, with no press coverage.

Following the discussions, Zelensky expressed gratitude on social media for the positive meeting with Trump and the ongoing support from the Republican administration in assisting Ukraine in the prolonged conflict stemming from Russia’s invasion four years ago.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized both meetings with Zelensky and Netanyahu as fruitful and constructive. Trump hosted Zelensky at the White House as a gesture of respect during the Ukrainian leader’s visit to honor Senator Graham, who had recently secured a sanctions agreement targeting countries that trade with Russia.

In a television interview, Trump highlighted Senator Graham’s unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasizing his stance on the issue. Trump also mentioned Graham’s advocacy for diplomatic negotiations with Iran but did not suggest a similar approach for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Prior to the meetings, Zelensky expressed concerns about Russia supporting Iran during the ongoing conflict, citing evidence of satellite imagery from US bases in the Gulf region being used in Iran. Zelensky emphasized the need for global attention to prevent the spread of evil actions in the world.

Overall, the discussions between Trump, Zelensky, and Netanyahu shed light on the complex diplomatic relationships and ongoing geopolitical challenges faced by the involved nations.